When is something a bump?

[shotoku 47]

So there's this other non-pony forum I'm on that is not very active and you can wait a week since the last post and not be called for bumping the topic. This place is over 50x more active (probably 100x ), so I don't know what the general rules considering bumping a topic are.

 

Don't even know if that term is used here in the same way, so I'll define it for clarity.

Bump (v) Posting a reply on a topic that hasn't been discussed for awhile, pushing the possibly dead topic it to the top of the group it is in. Usually frowned upon.

"That topic wasn't posted in for weeks, but because he just posted another reply, it is now on the front page of the forum group again."

[Doctor XFizzle 8,670]

Bumping just for the sake of bumping probably isn't the best thing to do.

 

But if you actually contribute to an old topic with a quality post even though the thread was buried on page 10, I think would be okay and it could re-kindle the discussion.

[Akemi Homura 7,681]

To be honest, if a thread isn't all that ​interesting, it is probably going to be forgotten rather quickly. That's pretty much the main reason why the less "interesting" threads and buried in page 12 on whatever forum and the more intriguing ones tend to reach front page, because discussion on those threads are consistently updated with a good amount of quality posts.

 

My suggestion is to try to write a detailed OP as possible, outlining everything you think about said topic, explaining your ideas, and presenting your opinions concisely. This will get people thinking about the key elements outlined in the OP and usually, the replies will start rolling in. Best thing to do at this point is to keep the discussion going for as long as possible, until it eventually dies down at some point. If you feel that your new thread is absolutely worth it to read, however, then writing a detailed and concise OP would be a no-brainer and ultimately a must.

 

Thread "bumping" I don't think is against the rules, but advertising it constantly around the Forums is very much frowned upon, as it becomes easy to interpret it as spam. Referencing your thread is a good idea should you feel that it is somewhat relevant to another thread, but ultimately it's up to you to make it truly worthwhile for other people to read & discuss your thread.

Edited July 14, 2012 by Devin McCourty

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,529]

I never understood why replying to any thread past the first page is considered a crime on most forums. While it could certainly be spammy (and unfortunately, it sometimes is - we get an awful lot of Blank Flanks saying something like "that's awesome" in reply to some site news from several weeks ago that's hardly relevant anymore), it is more than possible that you might have something legitimate to add to the existing discussion, so you're absolutely welcome (and, in fact, encouraged!) to "bump" an old topic if you have something constructive to add to it.

 

Bumping an old topic is always preferable to starting a new one, as the new one will either be locked or merged with the old one, anyway. It helps avoid duplicate topics, which are a user experience and SEO fallacy.

[Evilshy 5,091]

I always thought bumping specifically refered to posting something that doesn't really contribute for the purpose of pushing it to the top. That is frowned upon, with good reason, I think.

[NavelColt 22,883]

I never understood why replying to any thread past the first page is considered a crime on most forums. While it could certainly be spammy (and unfortunately, it sometimes is - we get an awful lot of Blank Flanks saying something like "that's awesome" in reply to some site news from several weeks ago that's hardly relevant anymore), it is more than possible that you might have something legitimate to add to the existing discussion, so you're absolutely welcome (and, in fact, encouraged!) to "bump" an old topic if you have something constructive to add to it.

 

Bumping an old topic is always preferable to starting a new one, as the new one will either be locked or merged with the old one, anyway. It helps avoid duplicate topics, which are a user experience and SEO fallacy.

 

I've always had this mindset. I've been on forums where the lead admin is like, 'lock all threads a certain number of months or weeks old >:U' and I sit there and facehoof, saying to myself, 'are you TRYING to discourage discussion and kill off activity in the long run?' It's not about age of the thread, it's about quality. As long as it's not offensive or spammy, let it live for all ages to come. That's the point of forums, and that will always be the point of forums. Archived messages that anyone can stumble upon and update, in order to continue discussion.

[False Perception 482]

My usual good 'ol probably been posted but...

 

A bump is when someone posts on a topic for the sole purpose of "bumping" it back to the front page, where all the recent posts are, in an attempt to attract posters. This however could also be useful for attracting a moderator's attention to a very urgent question. That should not be the case here however, due to our large and swift team of moderators.

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,529]

My usual good 'ol probably been posted but...

 

A bump is when someone posts on a topic for the sole purpose of "bumping" it back to the front page, where all the recent posts are, in an attempt to attract posters. This however could also be useful for attracting a moderator's attention to a very urgent question. That should not be the case here however, due to our large and swift team of moderators.

 

You should never, ever try to attract a moderator's attention to a thread by posting anything in response to it. That is what the report system exists for.

[False Perception 482]

You should never, ever try to attract a moderator's attention to a thread by posting anything in response to it. That is what the report system exists for.

 

I said...

That should not be the case here however, due to our large and swift team of moderators.